At the Seaside Resort

What a view.

Ethan, there are still plenty of stalls we need to check out. We can rest later.

Would you stop staring and come here already? You're really living up to your piggish reputation today.

What's wrong with looking? It's natural, you know. You can't fault a guy for being human.

Sigh...

R-Really...?

Why are you so shocked? This is basic male instinct. It's no different from you two losing your minds over cake.

You're not even denying it anymore. Are you just shameless now?

I've matured, thank you very much. We've been through a lot, haven't we?

A-Anyway, this place is way bigger than I expected. When you first told me about it, I was skeptical...

Told you! I couldn't let a place this nice go to waste.

A Swordbringer who looks after his people... Ethan, your legacy will go down in history.

And don't forget, he introduced the bikini, too.

Hmph. Bet he did it just for his own amusement.

...Be honest, Morgana. You're not a fairy queen, you're a little demon.

...Ah!

What is it, Ethan?

Heh... I finally get it. I figured out why Morgana's acting up.

What are you talking about?

You're just upset because you don't have the kind of curves the other women do, right? You always get like this when you're jealous.

W-What?! Jealous?! You think I'm that insecure?!

Not insecure, just facing the harsh truth...

I TOLD you this isn't my real form! You have no idea what I really look like! If you saw it, you'd be drooling all over yourself!

In my true form, I'd outshine everyone here! It'd be dangerous! There'd be lines of men throwing themselves at me!!

Yeah, sorry, but I just can't picture it.

Ugh! I've had enough of this! Elizabeth! Let's go check out the market, away from him.

Yes?

O-Okay! Wait up, Lady Morgana!

Ah... and there they go.

Sheesh, she's so bad at being honest. Besides, she looked adorable floating around on that inflatable tube...

Is it okay just to let her go like that?

It's fine. She'll show up the moment we start grilling meat. Like clockwork.

Let's head the other way. Since they're checking the market, we'll explore the beach.

Ah! That sounds great!

We might end up going in the water, so go get changed first.

Yes, Ethan!

Told you, people are the same everywhere.

Is that so?

Back in my world, we had places like this too.

Though it's not every day you see someone that gorgeous serving drinks in a bikini...

Ethan?! Did you come looking for me?

...And it was Lancelot, right.

Huh? What's with that reaction?

Miss Lancelot! What's that? It looks delicious...

This? It's all the rage with the Catfolks! Pretty colors, right?

Catfolks...?

Wait. Don't tell me... the vendor that hired you is Merry?

Yep! Didn't I mention that? Merry's my boss!

You definitely didn't. You just kept teasing me with "It's a secret."

Merry's here?

Long time no see! Ethan, Bedivere!

I'm impressed, Merry. I knew you were clever, but teaming up with Lancelot? That I didn't expect.

We just saw a win-win opportunity! After all, the moment I saw Lancelot in action... I knew it'd be profitable...!

You really had to say that in front of her...?

Ahem! Anyway... where are the others?

The resort's pretty big. They're checking the area behind the market. We're technically on patrol duty.

Still working hard, huh?

Merry! This drink is so refreshing and tasty! Did you make it yourself?

Bedivere! When did you...

Right? It's the perfect beach drink. Makes you feel like you're about to meet your destiny!

A cute couple toasting at the beach, then one thing leads to another... hehehehe...

Merry, hiring Lancelot is one thing, but help her out too. I think the overwork's making her weird.

Hehe, I've actually been planning something else...

And now that you're here, Ethan, it's perfect! Bikini sales have been booming, so I wanted to thank you!

Now that you mention it, why aren't you wearing one? I think it'd suit you.

M-Me...? I'm not quite ready for that yet... hehe...

If you wear it, customers will trust the product more, you know. Still holding back, huh?

So, this "thank you"... it better be something good.

I hereby appoint you as the official judge of our beach ball tournament!

Beach ball... what now?

It's a game where girls in bikinis hit the ball over the net! If it lands on the opponent's side, you score!

...That's beach volleyball.

You've got my attention...

Please do it! If the great "Swordbringer" himself is officiating, we'll get even more participants!

Tempting... but you're paying me, right? I don't work for free.

U-Uh... profits are kinda tight but... how about this much?

No deal.

T-Three, then! Please? I've already spent so much setting this up...

...Alright, deal! I'm in!

E-Ethan... are you sure about this? Our mission is to manage the resort.

Tournaments attract crowds. We'll be monitoring the area and keeping order. Win-win.

Let's have Elizabeth and Morgana patrol the blind spots!

Hmm...

Okay. If you say so, Ethan...

But what about me? What should I do?

What do you mean? Isn't it obvious?

You're joining the game, of course!

Whaaat?!

What was that?!

Let's go check it out!

I'll come too! We can't let anything ruin the event!

Hehe... If Ethan's going, then I'm coming too. I can take a break from work for this!

Phew, that's the last of them.

Fighting together sure makes it quick!

Thanks for the help.

You did great, everyone.

You might wanna hold off on relaxing just yet. The merfolk are known to be relentless... not that I mind. Hehe.

What about the others? Any damage or injuries?

Looks like everyone's okay. A few people ran off in a panic, but no stalls were damaged and no one got hurt.

Right...

Lancelot's right, the merfolk are persistent. We've dealt with them plenty of times before.

If their base is nearby, we should wipe it out completely.

E-Eh?! You're planning to charge in?!

Why are you so surprised? If we don't pull it out at the root, they'll just keep coming back. Don't worry, merfolk are nothing we can't handle.

That's right. You've got us, Merry.

I-I mean... I'm not exactly a fighter...

And I can't leave my stall unattended for too long, you know?

If the merfolk make it up to the beach, there'll be no one left to stop them. I'll protect the beach vol, no, this whole resort!

You're so righteous, Ethan. I want to become more like you...!

Ahem! W-Well, I am the Swordbringer, after all...!

Okay, fine. I'll count on you, Ethan.

T-That deep-sea fish is huge!

Don't let it scare you. With how strong we are now, we could fillet that thing in one slice.

E-Ethan...? Even for a Catfolk like me, that's not the kind of fish I'd ever want to eat...

...It's a figure of speech.

Hmm... but isn't it weird?

This area isn't normally merfolk territory. Why did it wash up so close to land...?

Maybe it caught the scent of humans?

I don't know either... but I think Lancelot's right.

Merfolk don't move on a whim, especially creatures from that deep. They rarely come above water.

Maybe... someone out there doesn't want this resort to succeed.

Could it be the Empire...?

Nah. The Empire doesn't have the time or energy to mess with something like this. It's got nothing to do with the war.

The real enemy... might be someone on the inside.

Ethan! The enemy's moving!

No time to sit around talking. Let's take care of this one first.

I'll dice it up real nice. Hehe.

The beach volleyball... has been protected!

Ethan... don't tell me all this effort was just for the girls playing ball...

Ethan, I didn't know you supported my business so passionately... I'm... I'm touched!

O-Of course! You're an important friend too, Merry!

Ethan, should we investigate where the merfolk came from? Just in case? We should be thorough.

Thinking critically now too, huh, Bedivere? Alright, let's do that.

I'll head back to the stall. My customers are probably waiting.

Hey, Lancelot!

Hmm?

Make sure you come back later, alright? You can't miss Britannia's ultimate beach volleyball showdown.

Me? You want me to join?

Of course! You've got... um... great ball control. Use all that power of yours to show everyone what you've got!

Hehe... I didn't know you trusted me this much, Ethan.

Alright! I'll meet your expectations. I'll finish up quickly and come right back!

Nice!

I'll go check on my stall and come back too!

And this time... I'll wear a bikini!

So, you've made up your mind.

Yes. After seeing you work so hard, I realized I should stop hesitating and step up too.

That's the spirit. Knew I picked the right business partner. See you later, Ethan.

You seem pretty happy.

Everything's going great! And if merfolk try to mess with this beach, I'll cut them down without hesitation.

I-I see...

Dian?!

Ethan, it was you. And that must be Bedivere, right?

Dian...!

Still as popular as ever. Were you two on a date?

N-No way. We're just here on assignment. Elizabeth and Morgana are patrolling the other side.

Dian, what are you doing here?

Just relaxing. When you wander the continent long enough, you find a few peaceful little spots.

This beach is one of my favorites. Wouldn't you agree, Ethan?

Yeah. I wouldn't have found it without you.

As expected of Dian… You really do know everything!

Oh, please. You're no slouch either, chosen by the World Tree and all.

By the way, Dian, did you happen to see any Merfolk around?

Merfolk? No, I haven't.

Then I guess we really did clear them all out.

Good. We just finished dealing with a whole swarm of them.

There weren't any known monster habitats nearby, so we were caught off guard.

Hmm… I did see a few fishermen running for their lives earlier. That must be why.

Glad to hear you cleared them out. You really are something, Ethan.

We all fought together.

Of course, of course. Keep up the good work. I'll just lie back and...

Hold it!

Hmm?

What's wrong, Ethan?

Dian... You came all this way looking that good, and you're just going to leave?

Oh, this swimsuit? It's comfy, so I figured I'd take a dip later.

That's not what I meant!

Dian, there's about to be a fiery showdown right here. Are you seriously going to miss out on something this epic?

Doesn't sound very interesting to me.

What if... it's a tournament to decide the best swimsuit on the beach? A contest to see who truly rocks the bikini?!

What?! That's a thing?

Hmmm… That might actually be fun...

Ethan...? We're just playing a ball game... remember?

Don't tell me you're plotting something weird again...

Don't be ridiculous, Bedivere.

Dian has powerful healing magic. It's only proper to have medical staff on standby for an intense ball game.

Besides, people will trust the resort more if we're prepared.

…!

I... I didn't realize you were thinking that far ahead, Ethan.

But still...

That whole tournament thing... it's a lie, isn't it? What if Dian gets disappointed?

She won't have time to. I'm dragging her into the game too. As long as she's having fun, she'll let it slide.

W-What?!

E-Ethan!!!

Oh! It's Merry!

Ooh... She finally put on a bikini.

Something's wrong!!

What happened? Is your shop in trouble?

Huh? Hey... where's your tail? Don't tell me it fell off?! That would be bad!

N-No, I used a transformation potion to hide it. It's the kind you use to disguise yourself or shape-shift... I had no choice if I wanted to play in the water with everyone...

Wait, no, that's not the problem! I just saw more Merfolk, they're back!

Merfolk?

Hm? And who's this adorable little kitty?

M-Merry's not a kitty!!

Dian, this isn't the time. Looks like the fight's not over yet.

D-Dian Cecht?! Is that the famous Witch of Light?!

Yes, that's Dian.

Dian... we're pretty worn out. Can you heal us?

If we don't finish off the rest of the Merfolk, there won't be a tournament, or anything else.

…Hmm, fine. I'll help you, Ethan.

After all, how could I say no to such a cute request?

Haha... you're the best...

Alright then, let's go! How long are those stinking fish monsters planning to mess with my paradise?!

What's their problem?! Why are there so many of them?!

Should we inform the Princess and Morgana?

I'd love to, but... the area still isn't secure.

Thieves or monsters could show up and mess with the shops. It's better if they stay where they are for now.

Hyaaah!

What's wrong, Merry?

I-It's bad! Really bad!

What is it?! Don't tell me the Merfolk are back!

No, it's not that... I just remembered a massive order for this afternoon! Lancelot and my little sis are the only ones at the store right now, and they're gonna be swamped!

...You're talking about the shop.

S-Sorry! I think I need to head back. I also have to prep the beach game event...

I'm really sorry!

It's alright, kitty. Big sis here's got things covered.

Huh?! But you're the Witch of Light, you've lived for hundreds of ye...

M-Merry! Shh! Don't say that in front of her!

Huh...?

Hmph... Fufu... A-Age doesn't matter... that's not important...

Alright then. I guess I'll just have to show this cute little kitty how strong I really am... how full of life I still am!

P-Please have mercy...! I really need to go back to work!

Guess she's going nowhere now.

Yeap. Once Dian's like that, there's no stopping her. We'd better wipe out the rest of these enemies fast and eliminate all threats while we can.

I-It's huge!

Is that their leader...?

I don't think so. The Merfolk look like they're trying to get away from it.

Ethan! Lancelot is surrounded over there!

Lancelot?! What's that idiot doing way out there?!

She must've run into a group of Merfolk coming in from the other side...!

We have to help her, but first, we need to deal with this slime.

Agreed. I'm really getting tired of this.

Merfolk and slime...? At this rate, the shop... the shooooop...!

Aaah...

Merry, get a grip!

We're almost done. Let's finish this thing off and rescue Lancelot, then it's over. Let's go!

Fufu... That was certainly an experience... One I never want to repeat.

Seriously...

Just as I thought... This slime must've eaten the Merfolk.

They came this far because of that King Slime.

But why? Merfolk live in the sea. Sure, slimes can go into water, but they don't usually invade other territories.

There were Merfolk scales inside its body. It likely attacked them first, then fled here.

And the Merfolk chased it all the way to shore?

That's how it started... but take a good look, Ethan.

All these Merfolk are male, aren't they?

...Only a witch would be able to tell a fish's gender at a glance...

So when they reached the coast, they started getting drawn to the women, like Ethan?

H-Hey now, Bedivere...

Correct!

But then why did they stop chasing the slime? It looked like they were about to attack the humans instead.

Fish brains are still fish brains. They caught the scent of half-naked females frolicking under the sun and... their priorities changed.

Not that humans are any different, right, Ethan?

Why are you looking at me when you say that...?

The scent of the female... Attracts the male... Fascinating. A valuable lesson.

Don't learn that kind of stuff!

It wasn't in any of my books.

Ethan, what about Merry? She's totally out cold.

My shop... my precious shop...

We can't leave her like this. Besides... we need her.

Merry?

...Ah! You mean for the beach volleyball match!

Exactly. We fought through fish guts and slime goo so people could finally enjoy some peace.

Now it's time to have fun!

Let the game begin!